STURGIS – St. Joseph County farmer Richard Baker was among the top finishers at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 101st annual convention.

Baker, who raises hogs, cattle and grows row crops near Sturgis, finished third on Monday in the Young Farmers and Ranchers Achievement Award. He will receive a Case IH 40-inch Combination Roll Cabinet and Top Chest and a $500 Case IH parts card. Baker will also take home $2,200 worth of Stanley Black & Decker merchandise.

The Achievement Award recognizes young farmers and ranchers who have excelled in their farming or ranching operations and exhibited superior leadership abilities. Participants are evaluated on a combination of their agricultural operation’s growth and financial progress, Farm Bureau leadership and leadership outside of Farm Bureau.

Currently the sole owner and operator, Baker maximizes the profitability of more than 1,100 acres of irrigated seed corn, commercial corn, soybeans and alfalfa. He also manages a 3,000-head swine finishing facility and a 30-acre apple orchard and agritourism business.